Salt overload kills lakes' ecosystem – Greens

Greens candidate for Gippsland East Jill Redwood has accused the State government of thumbing their nose at the Gippsland Lakes communities, at environmental responsibilities and at the law.

Photo: A once common sight in spring, the Greens
say black swan populations are greatly reduced
since the dredging in 2008.
“Red tides, algal blooms and dead seagrass beds are a serious warning to us. The mass kill of shellfish, the disappearance of most swans, waterbirds and even the tough little water rats tell us that the lakes are in serious decline”, said Jill Redwood, Greens candidate for Gippsland East. “The Greens water policy recognises that healthy freshwater ecosystems are the lifeblood of a healthy landscape, and underpin the health of our communities and economies” she said.

“Many locals have noticed this latest death rattle of the Lakes. It could have been prevented if the local government authorities had have taken some advice, acted with caution and made a decision that favoured the community and Australia’s largest freshwater chain of lakes.

“But the government and local politician’s bull‐at‐a‐gate support for dredging the entrance has tripled the depth and ignored environment legislation. Even basic monitoring to understand impacts has been bypassed. The Lakes are now so salt laden they are toxic to its natural life.

“Without any consultation and without adhering to minimal regulations, a deep sea port has been constructed at Lakes Entrance at great cost to the Lakes. We were led to believe it’s for the fishing fleet, but evidence points to it primarily being to accommodate the needs of the offshore gas operations and Esso’s desire to have larger boats to service their rigs”.

“Now this disastrous decision has been executed, the Greens are urging the Brumby government to take urgent action and install barrage structures to protect Lakes King, Wellington and Victoria.

“The Greens in parliament have always spoken out against the close relationship between big business and government. Unless this is challenged, it will always skew our system of democracy. Corporate influences of political decisions often come at great environmental and social cost.


Further information: Jill Redwood, 5154 0145, jill.redwood@vic.greens.org.au
or Samantha Dunn 0429 29 29 04 or samantha.dunn@vic.greens.org.au

Jill Redwood stands for Gippsland East

"It's terrific to welcome Jill to the Eastern Victoria campaign as a lower house candidate for Gippsland East, Jill will be a great asset to the Eastern Victoria team in the lead up to the state election," said Samantha Dunn, Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria at the announcement of Jill Redwood's preselection.

Well-known environmentalist, writer and cartoonist, Jill Redwood, is the Greens Lower House candidate in Gippsland East for the November 27 state election.

“I’m proud to throw my hat in the ring for this region”, said Jill Redwood “Right across Victoria voters now have the chance to vote for the progressive policies of the Greens.”















Jill Redwood and Bob Brown at the Supreme Court in August after a win against logging the old growth habitat of rare wildlife

Jill Redwood has lived and worked in Gippsland for over 30 years. A well-know environmentalist, Jill has spoken out for the environment, wildlife and forest conservation since the mid 1980s. After leaving an early career in biological research, Jill Redwood’s life and work moved from near Walhalla to Maffra and then to Cann River. After the 1983 fires burnt out her property, Jill bought land in Goongerah in the early 1980s where she built an environmentally low impact house. She now runs an eco-accommodation business and a small organic property.

Jill Redwood has coordinated the conservation group, Environment East Gippsland for the past 22 years, has bred and trained heavy horses, and has a passion for the natural environment and wildlife. Jill has also been a CFA member for the past 20 years.

“Like many people, I see there is a desperate need to bring some sanity, compassion and honesty into the world, at both local and global level," said Jill Redwood. "Having campaigned for an improved environment for so long, I have learnt that the major parties are too often - and too easily - influenced by large developers and big business."

“In contrast, the Greens have always been a party with social compassion, environmental understanding and political ethics,” said Jill Redwood. “The Greens are not beholden to large donors in exchange political favours.”

Jill Redwood's main focus areas are:real forest and biodiversity conservation, ensuring water resources are correctly managed, not wasted, the inappropriate influence of large businesses on government decisions at the expense of the community’s interests, employment based on the new clean economy - not relying on the old dirty extractive industries,the real threat of climate change and maintaining the character of Gippsland by controlling unsuitable developments and population increases.

For more information visit http://vic.greens.org.au/gippslandeast

samantha visits stratford

I was great to join with Greens candidate for South Gippsland, Kate Jackson, at Earthfest in Stratford. People came from near and far to learn more about sustainability and land management.

The Greens had a stand there, locals were keen to chat about our policies and were pleased to see election candidates visit their area.

It was great to see waterways full and pastures lush, it's a great part of Victoria and plays a key role in our agricultural production.